We have been providing you with the latest news on consumer law for the last couple of months. The amendment to the Consumer Protection Act came into force on Three Kings Day and responds, among other things, to the frequent "artificial" price increases of goods. Businesses often increase the price of goods shortly before sales are about to take place(e.g. Black Friday or after-Christmas sales). In response to frequent complaints from consumers about these deceptive price increases (when businesses artificially increase the price and the discount is subsequently subtracted from the higher price the resulting figure is basically misleading), the amendment introduced stricter rules.

Now any goods must be marked with the lowest price offered for the last 30 days before the sale. The subsequent discount must be calculated from this lowest price. An exception was introduced for goods that are subject to rapid deterioration.

Consumers affected by such a misleading price increase newly have the right to withdraw from the contract within 90 days of its conclusion. A consumer may also request a reasonable discount on the price of the goods if they discover that the discount was calculated incorrectly.

Author: Vladěna Svobodová

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